1965 Jaguar E-Type SI 4.2

The Jaguar E-Type, or the Jaguar XK-E for the North American market, is a British sports car that was manufactured by Jaguar Cars Ltd between 1961 and 1975. Its combination of beauty, high performance, and competitive pricing established the model as an icon of the motoring world. The E-Type‘s 150 mph (241 km/h) top speed, sub-7-second 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration, monocoque construction, disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, and independent front and rear suspension distinguished the car and spurred industry-wide changes. The E-Type was based on Jaguar‘s D-Type racing car, which had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three consecutive years beginning 1955, and employed what was, the early 1960s a racing design principle, with a front subframe carrying the engine, front suspension and front bodywork bolted directly to the body tub. No ladderfame chassis, as was common at the time, was needed and as such the first cars weighed only 1315kg (2900lb).

On its release in March 1961 Enzo Ferrari called it „the most beautiful car ever made“. In 2004, Sports Car International magazine placed the E-Type at number one on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s. In March 2008, the Jaguar E-Type ranked first in The Daily Telegraph online list of the world‘s „100 most beautiful cars“ of all time. Outside automotive circles, the E-type received prominent placement in Austin Powers films and the television series Mad Men.
The E-Type was initially designed and shown to the public as a rear-wheel drive grand tourer in two-seater coupé form (FHC or Fixed Head Coupé) and as a two-seater convertible „roadster“ (OTS or Open Two Seater). A „2+2“ four-seater version of the coupé, with a lengthened wheelbase, was released several years later. Later model updates of the E-Type were officially designated „Series 2“ and „Series 3“, and over time the earlier cars have come to be referred to as „Series 1.“

The Series 1 cars, which are by far the most valuable, essentially fall into two categories: Those made between 1961 and 1964, which had 3.8-litre engines and non-synchromesh transmissions, and those made between 1965-1967, which increased engine size and torque by around 10%, added a fully synchronised transmission, and also provided new reclining seats, an alternator in place of the prior dynamo, an electrical system switched to negative earth, and other modern amenities, all while keeping the same classic Series 1 styling.[14] The 4.2-litre Series 1 E-Types also replaced the brake servo of the 3.8-litre with a more reliable unit. „The 4.2 became the most desirable version of the famous E-Type due to their increased power and usability while retaining the same outward appearance as the earlier cars.